If an American Marine were to find an extra sidearm during battle, can he dual wield?

Posted 13May2017.

Though I am not a current or former Marine, I have been put in harm’s way, so I will take a stab at this question by framing it in a relevant manner: “If an American servicemember were to find an extra sidearm during battle, can he dual wield?” (Not to disparage Marines at all, but I figure the answer would probably be the same…)

Oy.

There is part of me that kinda wanted to skip this answer, but it just kept coming back to mind, and I feel that there are some things that need clarification.

In battle, you do what you need to.

Now, I have never been shot down, nor have I gone on patrols, but being a Medevac crewchief puts one into some sketchy landing zones (LZ’s) where you have no idea if the ground troops really checked and secured the area. So, if I personally found myself on the ground with the infantry, it would be a case of doing whatever is necessary to protect not just myself, but my new bestest buddies:
Need me to man the -240? Got it.

M-4, prone in that stagnant puddle of Middle-East mud? On it. In it. Whatever.

Dual wield M-9’s? Ab-so-fucking-lutely.

In this situation I can and will do whatever I need to to ensure the safety of everyone not actively or passively trying to kill me in my immediate vicinity.

Would it be legal?

I would rather argue that minutiae after I/we made it back safely, and even then, I doubt that anyone would take issue if I was doing it in a manner that was both awesome to behold and effectively engaging the enemy.

Ah. “Effectively engaging the enemy.” That is the sticky point, for if you are gullible enough to believe Hollywood and the videogame industry, then I may not be able to sway your opinion with logic and facts. However, for the more rational people out there who have not tried it, forget it. It may seem like it makes sense, but you will be neither “awesome to behold” nor will you be “effectively engaging the enemy.” More than likely, the only thing you will do is either present a ridiculous target (if standing), or go out in a pile of hot brass (if prone or seated). Figuring the present, standard-issue M-9 (x2), with a 15+1 capacity (x2), 32 rounds of 9mm only lasts for a short time if things have regressed to the point where you are making your “last stand.”

So, “can he dual wield?” Sure. Will there be a point? Debateable. Lots of brass, though.